TAVARES, Fla. — A Lake County inmate is accused of trying to hire another inmate to kill a witness in his criminal case, according to a probable cause affidavit.
David John Butka, 69, faces a charge of solicitation to commit first-degree murder.
Investigators said Butka approached another inmate around Sept. 7 or 8 and asked him to kill a neighbor who was a witness in his case.
According to the affidavit, Butka told the inmate he had about $1.3 million in the bank and would pay $5,000 up front to carry out the killing. Investigators said he provided the intended victim’s first name, physical description, morning schedule and information about how to find the person’s home.
Investigators say credit card was part of alleged payment
The affidavit says Butka later completed a Lake County Sheriff’s Office property release allowing his credit card to be released to the other inmate’s wife.
Investigators said Butka authorized the other inmate to put $5,000 on the card as a down payment for the killing.
According to the affidavit, the inmate’s wife retrieved the card from the detention facility, and $300 was later transferred from Butka’s credit card into the inmate’s commissary account.
Another inmate later asked whether the killing was going to be carried out, and the inmate Butka allegedly approached indicated he did not intend to commit the murder, according to investigators.
Note allegedly contained victim information
A known inmate contacted detention staff about the alleged plot, prompting an investigation by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Unit.
Investigators said an inmate provided detectives with a handwritten note containing Butka’s name, phone number, address, a description of the intended victim’s residence and a statement referring to “$5,000 up front off the card.”
The intended victim told investigators Butka had previously harassed and stalked them and that Butka’s behavior had caused significant emotional distress, according to the affidavit.
Investigators also said the intended victim had been a witness in two previous cases involving Butka.
Butka denies murder plot
According to the affidavit, detectives interviewed Butka after reading him his Miranda rights.
Butka admitted having a conversation with one inmate but denied having problems with other inmates or sharing information about the witness.
He also admitted discussing hiring a new attorney and authorizing another inmate to put $2,400 on his credit card for legal expenses, according to the affidavit.
Butka denied authorizing the release of his credit card to the other inmate’s wife and told investigators he believed he was the victim of fraud. He also denied soliciting anyone to kill his neighbor.
The affidavit says detectives reviewed the case with the Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office before arresting Butka on the solicitation charge.
Earlier aggravated assault case
Butka had previously been arrested in July on an aggravated assault charge after investigators said he threw a rock at a neighbor’s truck during a dispute.
According to that affidavit, the victim told deputies Butka pulled his arm back as if he were going to throw something while the victim drove past Butka’s home. The victim said an object then struck the side of his truck and that he feared he could be hit through the open passenger-side window.
A witness told deputies she saw Butka pull his arm back and throw a rock at the truck.
Butka denied throwing anything and told deputies he had been flying a drone. Investigators said they determined he had the intent, opportunity and ability to cause harm and arrested him on an aggravated assault charge.
The allegations in both affidavits have not been proven in court.
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